Cincinnati and Xavier are likely to continue their men's basketball rivalry despite questions raised by the ugly brawl that ended this season's game between the crosstown competitors.

“Every indication is that we are going to play next year,” Cincinnati president Greg Williams told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “We’re looking at it. (Xavier University president) Father Graham and I have talked about it a number of times.”

Williams said no final decision has been made and that a group of advisors will make recommendation to him about “what the game should look like going forward.”

The rivalry game, known as the Crosstown Shootout, was first played in 1927 and has been played every year since 1946.

But this year's contest, played on Dec. 10, featured a steady stream of trash talking and was called with 9.4 seconds left after teams got into a brawl in a corner of the court when words escalated into shoves and swings.

Both benches cleared, and Xavier center Kenny Frease was punched by Cincinnati's Yancy Gates and then kicked by Cincinnati's Cheikh Mbodj while he was on the floor on his knees. Xavier freshman Dez Wells threw a punch during the fracas.

Four Cincinnati players, including Gates and Mbodj, and four Xavier players, including Wells, were suspended for their roles in the fight.

In the aftermath, some questioned whether the rivalry should be suspended, ended altogether or moved off the school's campuses.

Xavier AD Mike Bobinski is opposed to moving the game a neutral site.

“We like having it on our respective campuses,” he said. “We have to create a more positive environment around it. We’ve got plenty of examples around the country. We ought to be able in Cincinnati to find a way to make it a really good thing.”

Bobinski added: "We all agree we’ve got work to do to put a different feel and flavor to the thing, but it’s worth doing so. Those conversations are yet to come.”

If the game is played next season, it would be at Cincinnati's home court, Fifth Third Arena.